Our Management Team
The Florida Doctors Insurance Company management team has a formidable depth of experience in the field of medical professional liability insurance. Each team member brings a special expertise to the mix, along with a thorough knowledge of the Florida medical climate and marketplace. These professionals are dedicated to the mission of building long-term relationships with each physician we insure, and they work to accomplish that goal every day.
William R. Russell, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Russell has nearly four decades of experience in the insurance industry, having held positions in all levels of management with both private and publicly-traded companies, including Daniels Head and Associates, Co-ordinated Management Systems and FPIC Insurance Group. His areas of specialization include professional liability, individual and group insurance, reinsurance, and third-party administration. Mr. Russell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from New Hampshire College.
Kurt J. Cetin, President
Mr. Cetin has 24 years of experience in medical professional liability insurance and reinsurance. He has previously held executive positions with Physicians Reciprocal Insurers, a New York medical malpractice insurer, and FPIC Insurance Group. Mr. Cetin also served as president of a medical warranty company and president of Florida Healthcare Providers Insurance Exchange.
Melodee S. Dixon, CPCU, AIAF, ARE, ARC, ASLI, Chief Operating Officer & Actuary
During the last 24 years, Ms. Dixon has held various management positions with nationally recognized companies, including Brown & Brown, FPIC Insurance Group and PHICO Insurance Company, all specializing in professional liability. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Elizabethtown College. Ms. Dixon is currently pursuing her certification in the Casualty Actuarial Society, having completed 5 of the required 7 units. She is a general lines and surplus lines insurance agent in the state of Florida.
Mark C. Shealy, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Shealy has worked in various areas of the insurance industry since 1993, most recently as the Chief Financial Officer and IT Manager of the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office, as well as a Financial Administrator/Examiner for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Mr. Shealy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida State University and has held the CPA designation since 1993.
Kim Thorpe, Senior Vice President
Mr. Thorpe is a member of the senior management team and has 31 years of insurance industry experience. His most recent experience has been in medical professional liability insurance and includes having served as the Chief Operating Officer of Physicians Preferred Insurance, which was acquired by Florida Doctors Insurance Company in 2009, and as the Executive Vice President of FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. His insurance experience also includes having served as a senior executive of the Independent Brokerage and Structured Settlements Groups of GE Financial Assurance. Before embarking on his career as an insurance executive, Mr. Thorpe was a partner of the international accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP (now PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP) where he specialized in serving clients in the insurance industry. He received a Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Florida and is a certified public accountant.
Pamela (Appling) Veth, Senior Vice President – Underwriting
Ms. Veth has worked in insurance company and insurance agency environments for 28 years, specializing in medical professional liability. She has held underwriting management and account executive positions with Harden & Associates, Marsh Advantage America and Florida Physicians Insurance Company. Ms. Veth is a licensed general lines insurance agent in the state of Florida.
Ray A. Carey, Senior Vice President – Claims
Mr. Carey has been in a claims management position for over 38 years, specializing in medical professional liability in Florida, both with First Professionals Insurance Company and as an independent consultant. Mr. Carey has been a licensed claims adjuster in the state of Florida since 1972.
Chris Campbell, CIO – Information Technology
Mr. Campbell has over 16 years of IT Experience. Prior to joining FLDIC, he was employed by Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. where he held various positions, including Manager of Information Technology. Mr. Campbell is also a nine year veteran of the United States Navy.
Joe Brackett, Vice President – Claims
Mr. Brackett has over 30 years of medical malpractice claims experience. Prior to joining FLDIC, he served as Director of Claims for Florida Healthcare Providers Insurance Exchange and as a claims manager with First Professionals Insurance Company. Mr. Brackett is a member of the Claims Section committee of the Physicians Insurers Association of America. He is also a licensed general lines insurance agent in the state of Florida.
Daniel J. Dupre, Vice President – Claims
Mr. Dupre has 34 years of successful experience in casualty litigation management and is regarded throughout Florida as an expert in medical professional liability insurance. Mr. Dupre’s experience includes work as a claims manager, claims supervisor and special representative at First Professionals Insurance Company and Johns Eastern Company, Inc. Mr. Dupre holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from American International College and an MBA from the University of North Florida.
Kellie N. Kagan, JD, LHRM, Vice President – Legal Affairs
Prior to joining FLDIC, Ms. Kagan was an associate attorney at Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. where she specialized in general liability and medical malpractice defense. Ms. Kagan received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yale University. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. Ms. Kagan is a licensed healthcare risk manager in the state of Florida.
Virginia (Ginger) Kelley, Vice President – Risk Management
Ms. Kelley is a 30-year healthcare veteran in the areas of pre-hospital emergency medicine, medical education, claims, risk management and health administration. She served as the administrator for Drs. Janovitz, Parrillo, Delgado and Newbold’s Family Medical Center in Orlando. She spent an additional 10 years as administrator in the specialties of Anesthesiology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Ms. Kelley holds a Master of Health Administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Virginia. She was awarded the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) by the Insurance Institute of America and was a Certified Medical Practice Executive.
Lesa D. Kemp, Vice President – Sales and Marketing
Ms. Kemp has over 18 years of medical professional liability insurance experience. Prior to joining FLDIC, she was employed by First Professionals Insurance Company and FPIC Insurance Group, where she served in various positions, most recently as the Director of Corporate Communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville University. Ms. Kemp is a licensed customer service representative in the state of Florida.
